Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) member and actor Gajendra Chauhan, who is facing a protest over his appointment as the chairman of Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), on Saturday attempted to downplay the issue, and said he was ready to resolve the matter through talks.
"I am shocked and surprised, because I am unable to understand the reason for all the opposition taking place. They should have talked to me and met me. I am trying my level best to go and meet them actually, sit with them across the table and sort it out," Chauhan told ANI.
"If they have something in mind, like I have been asked by many channels and people that there are big people in the queue up. I don't know how you decide about a big person and a small person. If you keep giving chances to big people, as you consider, then small people have no place in this country," he added.
Chauhan further made it clear that the decision about his position has been taken by the concerned minister and the future pronouncement also rests with him.
"The minister had decided about my placing as the chairperson of FTII. He has to decide further. My thing is that I have worked with hundreds and hundreds of directors. So, there is no question that I don't have knowledge of film-making. My USP is my honesty with work," he said.
"This is true that I am associated. I am a member of BJP. But, that is not the only reason. If the minister has to decide then he has to decide on the basis of the capability. It is not only the minister who
has to decide. There is a board, there is a committee. Lots of discussions are held. I remember, it took almost six months for me to come down to this position, for my name to be shortlisted for this,"
he added.
"My resolution is I will go, I will meet, I will join and I listen to them. I promise all the students, I will listen to each and every one of them. I promise to them I will try to sort out all their problems,"
Chauhan added.
Meanwhile, the president of FTII Student Association, Naathtut said it is for the first time that a political person has been appointed on a given post, and they want a person who would understand the culture of this place.
"It was announced on Wednesday that Mr. Gajendra Chouhan has been appointed as the chairman. We feel that in a place like FTII, a person should be there who understands the culture of this place," Naathtut told ANI.
"It is not just administrative thing but it is more complex. This is for the first time that a political person is appointed like this. We do not want it to take in any political colour. We do not have any problem with Mr Chouhan, we have problem with the decision," he added.
